Soil — Composition and Preparation 31 



Please do not burn the leaves this autumn! 

 Instead dig a pit in some out-of-the-way corner. 

 The most convenient size is twelve feet long, 

 eight feet wide, and two feet deep; but, of course, 

 it can be made smaller, to suit the size of the 

 garden. If there are many trees, dig many pits, 

 for above all, save every leaf that falls. 



During the summer months drop into the pit 

 the exhausted vines of peas, string beans, etc., and 

 sprinkle a little soil over them if you have any. 

 When the leaves begin to fall rake them up as 

 heretofore. Instead of putting them into neat 

 little piles along the paths and road gutters, set- 

 ting fire to them and making the air pungent 

 with the smoke, carry them in sacks or barrows 

 and dump them into your pit. Protect them 

 with garden trash, old sod, brush, or bagging 

 or anything handy which will keep them from 

 scattering. If rain does not fall at a convenient 

 time, turn the hose on them. Keep adding to 

 the pile as the leaves fall, and by winter there will 

 be quite a mountain. The snow and ice will 

 weight them down and in melting will decay 

 them. During summer the heat and the rain 

 will continue the process. If you have the time, 

 fork them over once or twice, giAning them a good 

 wetting also to help the disintegration. By au- 

 tumn you will have the finest fertilizer which the 



